The Flywheel

Next Meeting: August 27th

The Peacable Kingdom, Edward Hicks

Harlan Kerr, Director of Curriculum
for the West Contra Costa Unified School District, reports
on the effects ofthe Peace Rug program in kindergarten
and first grade classrooms, which the Richmond Rotary
funded last year.

Mr. Kerr will broaden his discussion to address the
value of character education in elementary schools.

Last Meeting: August 20th

Welcome, Invocation, Thought for the Day

John Nicol led us in the pledge and Herb
Cole invoked a moment of silence for peace
and freedom for all. Our thoughts duly elevated
by pledges and lofty suggestions, we sat
back down.

Rotarians with Guests

Jim Macmillan, a past city council member, was the
guest of Don Lau.

Marsha Tomassi, a long time friend of the club, also
came to lunch today representing John Z as his campaign
manager.

Announcements

Richmond Rotary had a booth at the Chamber business
Expo in Pinole in the town center.

Richmond Rotary will be serving dinner at Grip on
10/27, 11/24, & 12/15. We need 4-7 people
each evening to volunteer.

Erle Brown reminded the usual suspects
that contractor’s lunch coming up – he
said you know who you are.

New Member

Heather Kulp was inducted into the club today and was
given the traditional red badge. We look forward
to her Who Am I presentation.

Happy and Sad Dollars & Recognitions

Dan Sanders donated some undisclosed
amount of money to celebrate the undisclosed numbers
of years since his birth.

From the Truth is Stranger than Fiction file: Ted
Abrieu and his daughter for her 29th birthday
both got tattoos. And we got to see Ted’s
ornamented skin. Wow!

Marku informed us that in a competition
to find the place on earth closest to Paradise, Finland
was the winner. (Is that because Paradise is in the
up direction from the globe? Then why not the North
Pole?)

Bill Watnabe told us about the
second wedding of his daughter and hopes it will
be cheaper than the first wedding.

Alan announced that Santa, his
wife, was in the Plunge picture that appeared in
the West County Times. He donated some money to
recognize the recognition.

Norm's Nonsense

Ponderisms ...

-Why is bra singular and panties plural?

-Health is merely the slowest possible rate at
which one can die.

-If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?

-You go the ballet and see girls dancing on their
toes. Why don't they just get taller girls?

PROGRAM

Mayoral Candidate John Ziesenhenne

John Ziesenhenne, aka Z, the fiancé of
last week’s most lovely speaker, told us today
why he would be a better mayor for Richmond than any
other candidate, especially the current mayor.

John is not new to the city. He served on the
council after graduation from Cal as the youngest City
of Richmond Councilmen ever, from the mid 80’s
to the mid 90’s. He often says “I
Love the City of Richmond” -- that alone qualifies
him to be mayor.

His agenda if he is elected is (note the order):

Jobs

Jobs

Jobs

We have 18% unemployment in this city and getting
people employed will improve the quality of life in
the city and make is safer” he said.

He says the city has positive financial momentum
with the bulk car importing operation now generating
revenue after a very expensive $38,000,000 port upgrade.

Z is a law and order man and plans to keep the police
force at 195 officers.

He thinks that the 5% sales tax on marijuana dispensaries
is too low and should have been 10%. In general
his position on the marijuana issue is closely aligned
with Butt’s position – If we have to tolerate
it lets tax and regulate the hell out of it!

Z tells us his special talent is communication. He
says he will regularly meet with all constituents in
the city – a situation that he says does not
exist now.

Z is worried that organized labor has hobbled the
city with excessive wages packages and the city is
using the one time Chevron money to plug the hole. He
thinks that the Point Molate could fill the hole in
the budget and provide jobs.

Z will be proud to work and communicate fully with
the men and women of our public safety unions, who
strive 24/7 to keep us safe [This statement is a correction
of what had been posted earlier in the Program notes.
That earlier statement did not reflect Z's presentation
but instead our scribe's own opinion about these workers.]

If you support this agenda make you checks out to “Friends
of John Z” and get them to Marsha Tomassi.

Upcoming Programs

September 3
Mayor Gayle McLaughlin will tell us why she is seeking
a second term. The Mayor believes in the “unlimited
possibilities” of the City of Richmond, which
enable Richmond to lead other Bay Area communities
by example.

Have a suggestion for a speaker?
Please pass along the name and contact information
to Jim Young.